CBCN - Thursday, May 23, 2024 - 12:00 a.m. (ET) - Segment #44

over the last five years. Like Ram Classic.As versatile as it is capable. Ram 1500, voted bestlarge pickup in Canada. Or Ram Heavy Dutywith a no-charge Cummins. And you don't pay for 90 days. The power is yours.The time is now. Get 20% off msrp on Ram Classic for up to $14,200 in discounts. Plus get 4.99% financing. Let's go for a skate, and a little chat. Because retirement today is not what it used to be. The good news is we're living longer and more active lives, but planning for that longevitycan come with some challenges. Thankfully as a Canadian homeowner aged 55 and better, you have options. The chip Program allows you to access the value of your home without selling it. So you can live retirement on your terms. If you're 55 or older call now for your free no obligation chip Reverse Mortgage Guide. With chip you get up to 55% of your home's value in tax free cash take only what you need in a lump sum or over time with no monthly mortgage payments required. Call (number on screen) Maybe it's time for you to consider chip too! Call now for your free no obligation guide. Call (number on screen) or visit chip dot ca. Call chip today and live retirement your way. [explosion] [dynamic] How can any of this be fair? It shows you where it starts, where it ends. Andrew:Where we're all aboutexplaining and expanding. [ ] >> Travis: a recap of our top story this evening. Hackers have released some of the data they accessed in a cybersecurity attack on london drugs. The west coast retailer says it had refused to pay a ransom after files were stolen from its corporate headquarters last month. The company also says the leaked files may contain employee information and that it is notifying employees who may be affected and giving them services for credit monitoring and identification theft. A poll commissioned by cbc news has found that 54% of albertans have found it difficult to meet their monthly household expenses. 7% said it was somewhat difficult to pay their bills while 17% said it was very difficult. 71% of those who found it difficult to meet their expenses were visible minorities. The differences by age were significant with the majority of those under 45 saying it's do I have pay their monthly bills and a majority of those aged 45 and over saying it's easy. My next guest says these figures match what she has been seeing at food banks. Margry bence is the executive director of edmonton's food bank and joins us tonight from edmonton. Thanks for being here. You've had a chance to look at these findings in this poll commissioned by cbc news. How do they align with what you have been seeing at the food bank there? >> They've certainly absolutely in alignment with what we're seeing in our community and what we're seeing at the food bank. We've seen increased number of people requesting serverss from edmonton's food bank over the last two years. But even when I compare april of 2023 with april of this year, our numbers of people asking for hampers has grown by 12,000 people. >> Travis:, you know, one of the poll's findings was that specifically 58% of edmontonians were, quote, most likely to be finding it difficult to meet their monthly expenses. Why do you think edmontonians are one of the subgroups that are most likely to experience this? >> I think we have a number of factors coming together in our community. So we have a lot of new canadians looking for work here in edmonton. We've seen increased costs of living including housing and so that's having an impact on people and their sense of security overall, and certainly their sense of being able to afford the basic necessities. You just need to stand outside of a grocery store in edmonton and talk to people leaving that grocery store and you'll hear them saying I'm having more trouble paying my fixed costs. I'm having more trouble buying food. I'm trying to be very strategic with what I'm buying because my -- the amount of money I have left at the end of the month is not enabling me to buy food and pay for other fixed costs. And in my household. >> Travis: so there are socioeconomic factors at play here. There's, you know, rising inflation. At least it's ticking down

little bit right now. That's a bit of good news. We have been having this conversation for some time. There's an affordability crisis affecting canadians right across this country. In the interim, because a lot of these issues are long term. In the interim, what do you think the solutions are right now? >> Well, I think it's really important that people come together and governments come together at all three levels of government seeing what they can do a little bit differently to reduce some of the hardships we're seeing in our communities that are impacting a significant number of people and a big percentage of our population just like the cbc report has talked about, and I think the other thing is that, you know, again we need to keep talking about these issues and working together as communities to put some things in place that help reduce some of the needs that we're seeing. Certainly edmonton food bank has been doing a lot of work with newcomers and edmontonians around employment opportunities when they do come out, helping people with RESUMé writing and job searches and that type of thing. But we definitely do have some big picture and expensive things that need to be done in order to help individuals and families cope in a better way. >> Travis: I have been talking to folks like yourself with organizations, food banks right across this country. Food banks were meant as a stopgap measure you have to rely on just to get you through a tough period of time. How hard has this beening the pressure on organizations like the edmonton food bank or the daily bread food bank here in toronto? How hard has it been for organizations like yours to fill this gap right now that is widening? >> I think it's actually impossible to fill it. Again, as you talk to organizations right across canada, they're not able to cope with increased number of people turning to them. We're not government organizations. We rely heavily on the communities that we're in to support us with gifts of food, money or time. Volunteers have been incredibly generous to our organization, for example our organization, the number of hours being committed to by volunteers has increased by 40% over the last couple of years. It just isn't enough given the increased number of people asking for help and needing help and services in our community. >> Travis: what is your message to local, provincial, federal officials? >> You know we need to come together. We need to try to make some solutions that are meaningful to people. These solutions are not easy ones. It does involve looking at, you know, having poverty reduction strategys in place, looking at affordable housing, looking at income support programs and ensure people that are working can still pay their rent and buy their food. >> Travis: marjorie, appreciate your time this evening. That was marjorie bencz, the executive director of edmonton's food bank. >> Thank you. >> Travis: cbc news has learned that red lobster has filed for bankruptcy in canada. The seafood restaurant chain known for its famous endless shrimp promotions posted a major financial loss at the end of 2023. On monday red lobster filed for bankruptcy in the united states. It has been impacted by labour costs and expensive leases. It's believed that filing for bankruptcy will allow the company to keep operating while it works on a debt-cutting plan. It currently has 27 locations in canada. Pro-palestinian protesters at universities across the continent have spent weeks making their anger heard. And while they have support from staff, not everyone agrees with how they're expressing free speech. That's the issue on tonight's spotlight and it's next here on "canada tonight." Announcer:Can heartbreak help break records? You want to be great, you need to sacrifice. Announcer:Do bigger fans have higher blood pressure? How's your heart rate? Announcer:Why do we love rooting for underdogs? Gotta support the home team. Announcer:When you get curious, you getCBC. ( ) In here... you can expect to find... crystal clear audio... expansive display space... endless entertainment... and more comfort for everyone... But even with all that... we still left room... for all the unpredictability... spontaneity.. and unexpected things... you'll find out here... Jeep. Grand Cherokee. The most awarded suv ever. ( ) That's a dq Chicken Strip Basket! Oh look at those tasty dq chicken strips.

And fries! Plus all the dips! Oh let's order one, right now! Dq. Happy Tastes Good. What would you like to payfor your hotel room tonight?$249, $225, or $199? Same room, same service.Just different prices. It's really up to you. Well, nobody asksyou this at reception, but that's exactlywhat trivago does. trivago compares hotel pricesfrom hundreds of booking sites. So, save yourselfvaluable time and money. Use trivago,compare hotel prices and save up to $50 a night Hotel? trivago. Gnarly! Back in my day, I used to call this the 180 Spice Bomb. Watch this. (Grunt, thud, car horn honking) That was awesome! Oh, f... Fix Auto! The first words that should come to mind after an accident. How can you protect yourself from continually rising health care costs not covered by your government health insurance? With SureHealth from Green Shield Canada. My SureHealth plan helps to protect me and my family from a lot of routine medical expenses. Host: Like prescription drugs, dental care and vision care. And many unexpected expenses I could face, if I have an accident or get a serious illness. Like physiotherapists, chiropractors, home care, emergency medical travel expenses, and more. And for most plans, your acceptance is guaranteed, with no health exam and no medical questions when you apply. If you're self-employed, don't have health coverage at work, are recently retired or retiring soon, get SureHealth now and protect yourself and your family from rising health care costs not covered by your government health plan. Call or visit SureHealth.ca now for your free, personalized SureHealth info package. That's SureHealth.ca. [Song playing - Here Comes theHotstepper by Ini Kamoze] [people shaking the ice in their cups] [people shaking the ice in their cups] [people shaking the ice in their cups] I heard it wanders the streets at night in search of food. I hear it can carry two kayaks right on its back. You know how nobody can find parking on gameday? It found a way. The new Subaru Crosstrek. The true Urban Legend. >> I'm Adrienne Arsenault. Tonight onThe National. >> Live Nation has illegally monopolized markets. It is time to break it up. >> Adrienne: With botched ticket sales and sky high prices, the us Justice Department takes the giant concert promoter to court. We'll see you tonight. >> Travis: welcome back to "canada tonight." hundreds of students in massachusetts locked out of a commencement ceremony at harvard university earlier today. [ Crowd noise ] >> Crowd: free, free, free palestine! >> Travis: yesterday the university had announced 13 students who took part in pro-palestinian encampments would not be receiving their degrees. The students protesting today called for the 13 to be allowed to get their diplomas. While professors at some institutions have voiced support for the protests, not all of them agree on how it is being done, and that is the subject of tonight's spotlight. Steven pinkert joins me from truro, massachusetts. Thanks so much for taking the time. >> My pleasure, thanks. >> Travis: I want to start with the news 13 students involved with the recent encampment process at harvard will not be receiving their tee agrees alongside their peers. What's your reaction to this? >> Well, I -- advocate of free speech, academic freedom. All definitions of academic freedom permit there to be restrictions on time, place and manner. That is free speech doesn't allow to you barge into your roommate's bedroom with a megaphone and chant slogans in his ear or to spray graffiti on his walls. There are legitimate defensible rules and among them are you don't get to take over the campus for one point of view your students may disagree with and exclude them. So they're given warning. They were told they were in violation of the rules that their academic standing could be suspended and that's what happens. I don't see how you can run a university if you didn't have rules like that because there's no end to various causes students v.if each one is allowed to take over the campus, exclude their classmates, chant slogans over bullhorns, raise the flag over campus flagpole, then you're doing that university any more. >> Travis: do you not think it's an extreme measure for

these students who paid, you know, harvard's not cheap who paid a lot of money in tuition to not, then, get the education they paid for the certificate, the degree that they paid to get? >> Well, they got the education. >> Travis: but they're not getting the degree. >> Well, a general rule at harvard and all universitys to graduate, the student has to be in good standing. They can't be on probation, in violation of the rules and so that is what the disciplinary board at harvard decided and ultimately what the corporation that is the ultimate authority of a university decided to enforce. >> Travis: as we see divisions like this are increasingly playing out on campuses across this country and yours. How do you think schools, institutions should be responding to calls demanding that universities pick a side? >> They shouldn't. I'm a big advocate of institutional lethality. University should be a forum where people have debates, where they argue. Students can express opinions. The professors can express opinions. The university itself should not be ekch expressing opinions. It shouldn't be commenting on events of the day. It shouldn't have a foreign policy. It shouldn't have any kind of policy other than being a place in which the debates happen and opinions are expressed but it should get out of the way. >> Travis: how realistic is it, though, do you think to expect neutrality from schools in every situation? >> It's totally realistic because that's what the university of chicago has done since 1967, and they've done just fine. There's nothing that forces a university to make a comment on ukraine or george floyd or attacks by hamas or the war in gaza. Universities should shut up and let the professors and students do the talking and that's perfectly viable. University of chicago's done it. >> Travis: here in canada the university of toronto said today that it would not cut ties with israeli universities but it would explore the possibility of divesting its portfolio. How far should the call for institutional neutrality extend? >> I think should extend to not use the portfolio to make political statements, because the university should be a place where people with differing opinions can coexist and express those opinions. The university itself should not take a stand at the expense of the people under its roof who may disagree. >> Travis: let me ask you about former harvard president claudine gaye who resigned last year amid claims of plagiarism but many felt that she herself had become the victim of cancel culture after testifying before congress on campus anti-semitism. How do you think that situation should have been handled? >> Well, a lot of things went wrong, including the fact that she answered questions legalisticly, which is the way unfortunately that our expensive lawyers [ Unclear ] whereas a congressional inquiry is political theatre and walk into it knowing that that's what it is. I think the problem is a lot of answers were technically correct such that university doesn't have a speech code that would literally punish a student for the content of what they say unless it's an actual threat or libel or extortion or harassment. The problem is that it was so inconsistent with the actual practice of the university where people have been tormented for saying there are two sexes or for signing an amicus brief to the supreme court arguing fence gay marriage being a national policy. That is expressing a conservative opinion as kind of a criminal offence in many universities. Given that in practice is the way universities have gone it seem as little hollow to say well, it's ok to call for genocide of jews that's protected by free speech. There is no consistent policy of protecting free speech including outrageous speech that would give her a leg to stand on when she answered that question in strict legalistic terms. >> Travis: let me finally ask you about the council last year on academic freedom at harvard. This group is aimed at up holding free speech. Tell me about the work that you're doing there. >> We've been lobbying for university adopting a policy of institutional neutrality which frankly would do them a big fair because -- favour because then they wouldn't get in trouble for issuing statements that are too late, too strong, too weak, too one-sided. We've lobbied against the policy requiring job applicants to submit so-called diversity statements where they basically have to pledge loyalty to particular policies of racial preferences. We have stood up to defend

people who have been unfairly attacked or censored. We've asked the university to consistently enforce its policy against disrupting campus events and preventing speakers from speaking and we've held events on the nature of academic freedom. What is it? What isn't it? What does it protect? What doesn't it protect and what's institutional neutrality. Like professors and exploring ideas. >> Travis: I lied. I've got one more question for you. What is at risk here if there's not diversity of perspective and opinions at university? >> Universities sacrifice all credibility and we know certainly in united states, trust in universities has been sinking faster than for any other institution and what happens is even when the consensus coming out of universities is almost certainly valid, such as that the climate is changings because of human activity, can say well that's the scientific consensus but why should we trust the consensus if it comes from a community where anyone who disagrees gets punished or censored? Just to secure the credibility of science and scholarship, the university has to establish a reputation as a place where dissenting opinions can be voiced and refuted if they're wrong. >> Travis: steen steven pinker, really enjoyed the chat. Thanks for being here on "canada tonight". >> Thanks for having me. [dramatic] Announcer:What's new? What's breaking? What's really going on? Cbc News Network.All the news. Live. Inu Nagamu is one of Canada's largest Indigenous and alcohol-free music festival. In the heart of the Cote Nord region in Mani-Utenam, Inu Nagamu Festival proudly celebrates its 40th edition to the rhythm of Indigenous artists from near and far, in addition to presenting world-class performances in a family-friendly atmosphere. We look forward to see you in Mani-Utenam from July 30th to August 4th, 2024. Happy birthday, big guy. Your old minivan? Your old minivan. It still runs? Like new! And thanks to Fountain Tire's trusted, reliable service, you'll be driving this for a loooong time. Never getting rid of this baby. Great. And of course! Quality tires. Why's that guy there? Because honey. Wherever you go, Fountain Tire's right there with you. Right there in that radical sidecar! What do you got under the hood? Just my legs. ( ) We know you care. But if this is all too real for you and your loved ones. Make the call. Because we care too. Home Instead. To us, it's personal. At Pet Valu, we treat your pet like our pet. Well, Georgie, it's time for adult food. And there's a lot of great options to choo... too choose from. They grow up so fast. I know... I do this like ten times a day. Looking for a natural health product to reduce your joint pain. Try Genacol® Pain Relief. This clinically proven joint care formula contains AminoLock® Collagen and Eggshell Membrane These two ingredients help reduce joint pain associated with osteoarthritis. Thanks to Genacol® Pain Relief, you can start to feel results in just 5 days! Add Canada's #1 Selling Joint Care Supplement to your daily routine and feel the difference! Genacol® Makes me feel so good! Ram Power Days are here.The power to choose fromthe most awarded truck brand over the last five years. Like Ram Classic.As versatile as it is capable. Ram 1500, voted bestlarge pickup in Canada. Or Ram Heavy Dutywith a no-charge Cummins. And you don't pay for 90 days. The power is yours.The time is now. Get 20% off msrp on Ram Classic for up to $14,200 in discounts. Plus get 4.99% financing. ( ) That's a dq Chicken Strip Basket! Oh look at those tasty dq chicken strips. And fries! Plus all the dips! Oh let's order one, right now! Dq. Happy Tastes Good. With fastsigns, signage that gets you noticed turns hot lots into homes. FastSigns. Make Your Statement. [rock] go hard go wild Woman: And the crowd goes wild! you fear the blood the sweat the tears We fight the best we can. Man: We build our own legacy. Arena announcer: She scores!

[ ] >> Travis: U.S. federal forecasters are expecting what they call an extraordinary hurricane season this year. The national oceanic atmospheric administration put out a report today predicting more major storms in 2024 than it has ever had in a preseason outlook. >> This season is looking to be an extraordinary one in a number of ways based on our data and models with the el NIñO la NIñA playing out a significant role. Of note, the forecast for named storms, hurricanes and major hurricanes is the highest noaa has ever issued for the may outlook. >> Travis: the cbc's science and climate specialist darius madhavji is tracking the story for us in vancouver. Darius, warp the big take aways from this report? >> Honestly travis, the certainty with which they're making this prediction. They're saying an 85% chance this season is going to be above normal. In large part this makes sense pause we have these really high ocean temperatures at or near records in the atlantic as well as a developing la NIñA. In 2023 we had the fourth most active hurricane season on record. In spite of the fact that it was one of the strongest el NIñOS we've ever had. Usually does a really powerful job of suppressing the atlantic hurricane season by preventing hurricane formation but last year, between the sort of strange elements of the el NIñO event plus especially those really high sea surface temperatures, we did have an extremely active hurricane season. Those extremely high temperatures in combination with the fact we're going to have la NIñA which usually promotes hurricane formation in the atlantic means we're not sitting in a great spot. If you take a look at the graphic you'll see what I'm talking about in terms of el NIñO waning. Compared to a few months ago you'll see we have much, much lower amount in this area right here. This is where we assess whether we're in el NIñO or la NIñA year. If we turn this globe over to where we see the other side on the atlantic you'll notice again we have a lot of orange on this side so quite the opposite. This is a really high record sea surface temperatures all through this area called the atlantic main development region, which is a very long title but many people call it hurricane alley because this is where the atlantic hurricanes form. And as we see really high sea surface temperatures here, more energy to eat up and grow stronger and promote their development. And if you look here 2005, the second moss active atlantic hurricane season on record you'll notice how much less red there is than this year. For people in atlantic canada no guarantee many of the storms will come up your way but you should be prepared. Have an emergency bag and be prepared for what might be a rougher season than normal. >> Travis: absolutely should be. Ok. Darius, appreciate it. That is cbc's science and climate specialist darius madhavji in vancouver. For several years, residentsful surrey, B.C. have been entangled in a hotly contested issue regarding the local police force. Now a judge has ruled plans for municipal police force in the city of surrey, B.C. will move forward. The transition away from rcmp was ordered boy the province over concerns of rcmp staffing shortages elsewhere in the province. Surrey city council sought to have that order overturned. According to B.C.'s public safety minister mike farnworth the B.C. supreme court has ruled in favour of the province. >> Today, justice lou ruled in favour of the transition of the surrey police service continuing. The safety of people in surrey and across british columbia has always been my main priority. Every action I have taken has been rooted in ensuring safe and effective policing so that when people call 9-1-1, they know that help is on the way. People of surrey want this to be over and I am hope thafl today's ruling is the time to come together and work towards completing the transition to the surrey police service. >> Travis: surrey city council has yet to respond to news of the court ruling but has previously expressed concerns about both public safety and the cost of a municipal squad. Meanwhile B.C.'s premier is applauding the decision. B. WHY's government has offered $150 million over five years to help surrey with the police transition. The surrey police service is set to take over november 29th. That is it for us tonight here on "canada tonight." I'm travis dhanraj. We are back tomorrow at 7 p.m. Eastern, 4:00 pacific. "the national" is adrienne arsenault is next. Have a great night. [ ]

Copyright protected and owned by broadcaster. Your licence is limited to private, internal, non-commercial use. All reproduction, broadcast, transmission or other use of this work is strictly prohibited.

Transcripts